Donald Trump
After his speech, hopes for a quick end to the conflict waned, oil prices rose and stock markets declined, Reuters reported.
Trump said America was on track to achieve its military goals and promised to launch extremely powerful strikes against Iran in the next two to three weeks.
“We’re going to take them back to the stone age where they belong,” he said.
The US president also hinted that the war could escalate if Iranian leaders do not give in to the demands of the United States.
Iran’s armed forces have responded by warning of more crushing, widespread and devastating attacks. An Iranian staff spokesman said the war would continue until eternal regret and the surrender of Tehran’s enemies.
The U.S. leader said the U.S. is in talks with Iranian leaders. Earlier, he wrote on social media that Iran had requested a ceasefire but it would not be considered until the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is lifted. The Iranian side denies any request and demands a guaranteed ceasefire.
Investors were expecting clear signals from Donald Trump to withdraw from the war, but he did not give them. The price of Brent crude jumped about 6% to $107.69 a barrel. U.S. futures fell by 1.3% and European futures fell by more than 2%.
The International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the International Energy Agency warned of the substantial, global and highly asymmetric impact of the war and said they would coordinate a response.
